If Rutgers wins, it will likely draw top-ranked Maryland in Sunday's second round with a trip to the national semifinals at stake.

"It's incredible. This team worked so hard this season," head coach Meredith Civico said. "We had a tough loss [in the Big Ten tournament] to Ohio State, but I think we're really deserving of this opportunity. We had some really big wins, a tremendous season. We're really excited we get to keep playing into November.

"To have this group feel this and experience it is so important for our program moving forward.":

Rutgers had to sweat its ticket out. After falling to the Buckeyes in double overtime in the opening round of the conference tournament, the Scarlet Knights were squarely on the bubble. They ended up being the last at-large team in the field. But they feel good about their matchup against the Huskies.

UConn has won three national titles in the last five years, but Rutgers has been competitive against the program in preseason play the last two years.

"They're a great team," Civico said. "They play a very possession-oriented game, very structured. But they've got some weaknesses, and if we can exploit them, we're in it. I think their style really suits us. I think it's going to be a great game."